"I name
this ship BRITANNIA, I wish success to her and to all who sail in
her"
- Her Majesty The
Queen, 16 April 1953
Britannia's 60th Anniversary
On 16 April,1953, Britannia was launched from
the John Brown & Company shipyard in Clydebank, the start of a
long and illustrious career.
The 60th Anniversary was celebrated with a week of
celebrations in April which included a vintage 50s themed weekend
and complimentary cake and tots of rum. Visitors were invited to
get into the spirit of this glamorous era, with
Britannia's own label pink fizz awarded to the best
dressed. See our Weekly 'Snaps' for
photographs from this event.
Commemorative ceremony 16
April 2013
Two very special guests were welcomed back on board to mark the
occasion: Britannia's longest serving
Royal Yachtsmen, Ellis 'Norrie' Norrell MVO RVM, and Albert 'Dixie'
Deane, MBE, RVM. Norrie is Britannia's longest serving
Royal Yachtsman, having served on board for 34 years, from
1954-1988. He was also a member of the original crew who served on
The Queen's first tour of the Commonwealth aboard HMY
BRITANNIA.
At 2.15pm, the same time Britannia was launched, Norrie
and Dixie raised a new flag which was specially commissioned in
honour of all those who served aboard Britannia. See our
Weekly 'Snaps' page for photographs of this historic event.
On Saturday, 20 April, a spectacular fireworks display took
place across the harbour to celebrate 60 years of Britannia, and on Sunday 21 April, drummers
from the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines performed on
the Verandah Deck.
Book your tickets
online
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